Fastening device for electronic board

ABSTRACT

A fastening device for an electronic board comprises a base unit, a position shaft and a resilience device wherein the base unit has a first opening, a second opening and a sidewall used to connect the first opening and the second opening. The surface region of base unit adjacent to the first opening has a plurality of protrusions and the sidewall essentially includes a plurality of extension portions for tightly withstanding the electronic board by resilience inducing from the extension portion. The position shaft has a first flange having a smaller size than that of first opening to pass through the first opening and a second flange having a larger size than that of first opening to lean against the inner surface region of first opening. The resilient device, coupled to the position shaft and inside the sidewall, automatically aligns the locating holes of the electronic board.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a fastening device, and moreparticularly, to a fastening device for an electronic board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the rapid development of information technology, a lot of computerproducts and their peripheral equipment, e.g. motherboard being a kernelof the computer, have been becoming more and more widespread. Besidesthe operation of central processing unit (CPU) on the motherboard, thecomputer having many peripheral devices, such as hard disk drive (HDD),floppy disk drive (FDD) and digital versatile device (DVD) etc, mustinduce vibration effect to a computer case containing theses peripheraldevices. Therefore, how to fasten motherboard to a frame case within thecomputer case for performing computer operation is an important issue.In addition, how to provide an easier and quicker way for loading andunloading the motherboard is also an important topic of manufactures.

Referring to FIG. 1, this figure shows a motherboard 100 is fixed to aframe case 106 by screws 102 according to the prior art. These screws102 used as fastening components secure conventional motherboard 100 onthe frame case 106. Showed in the local view 103 with respect to theframe case 106, a plurality of copper pillars 104 with inner screw aresequentially fixed on the frame case 106 before a plurality of locatingholes on the motherboard 100 are aligned to theses copper pillars 104.Next, a plurality of screws 102 is driven into these coppers by usingscrewdriver. In conventional, auxiliary tool kits, e.g. variousscrewdrivers, are needed so that the complicated loading and unloadingsteps will decrease the throughput and the motherboard 100 maintenanceefficiency. Even though a flexible piece is used to fasten themotherboard 100 to the frame case 106 before the frame case 106 is putinto a computer case, it can not still acquire a better and quickerresult with respect to the motherboard 100 installment. Consequently,there is a need for replacing screws 102 used in the conventionalmotherboard 100.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to utilize a fasteningdevice for rapidly securing an electronic board to a frame case suchthat the use of auxiliary tools in the process of loading and unloadingthe electronic board is not entirely needed.

Another object of the present invention is to utilize a fastening devicefor replacing the screws and to reduce a great deal of screws so thatthe throughput and maintenance efficiency of a computer system arelargely increased.

According to the above objects, the present invention sets forth afastening device for the electronic board by alignment between fasteningdevices in the frame case and locating holes of the electronic board andthen at least a manual bolt is may be selectively incorporated with theframe case. The fastening device essentially comprises a base unit, aposition shaft and a resilient device.

The base unit, preferably annular polygon shape coupled to the framecase, has a first opening on the upper region of the base unit, a secondopening on the lower region of the base unit and a sidewall used toconnect both the first opening and the second opening. The surfaceregion of base unit adjacent to the first opening has at least aprotrusion for closely attaching the electronic board into the baseunit. The sidewall further comprises at least an extension portion,preferably two symmetrical arc-shaped portions or the like, in thesurface region adjacent to the first opening for tightly withstandingthe electronic board by resilience inducing from the extension portion.One end portion of the extension portion is disposed in the sidewall andthe other end portion freely is higher than the upper region of the baseunit to block the electronic board.

The position shaft, similar to a column coupled to the base unit, has afirst flange and a second flange. The first flange in one end of theposition shaft has a smaller size than that of first opening to passthrough the first opening and to be exposed outside the base unit. Thesecond flange in the annular edge of the position shaft has a largersize than that of first opening to lean against the inner surface regionof first opening. Furthermore, an interval space between first flangeand second flange is used to clip the electronic board.

The resilient device, preferably a coil spring coupled to the positionshaft, is disposed inside the sidewall for automatically aligning thelocating holes of the electronic board and for readily loading andunloading the electronic board. Specifically, the position shaft is ableto move back and forth inside the resilient device.

In summary, the loading and unloading steps of the fastening device inthe present invention are not need any auxiliary tools are not neededfor these electronic boards so that the assembly efficiency isconsiderably raised. Furthermore, since the position shaft freely movesa distance range back and forth inside the base unit, the electronicboard is protected from harm when the electronic board contacts with thefirst flange. Moreover, interval space between said first flange andsaid second flange allows the fastening device to buckle any kind oflocating holes of electronic boards, so the substitution of theelectronic boards is increased to decrease the stock in the shop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed description,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a motherboard is fixed to the frame case by screwsaccording to the prior art;

FIG. 2A illustrates a three-dimensional exploded view of a fasteningdevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates an assembly view of a fastening device according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fastening deviceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of the base unit of FIG. 2C according tothe present invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of the base unit of FIG. 2C according tothe present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates one preferred embodiment of securing computermotherboard to the frame case by using a fastening device according tothe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a fastening device for replacingscrews to perform a rapid fastening process of electronic board suchthat the shortcomings of the prior art is improved.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, these figures show a three-dimensionalexploded view and an assembly view of a fastening device according tothe present invention respectively. The fastening device 200 used toload and unload the electronic board (not shown) comprises a base unit202, a position shaft 204 and a resilient device 206. A plurality offastening devices 200 are sequentially fixed on the frame case inpractice. Afterwards, these fastening devices 200 are aligned with thelocating holes on the electronic board before the position shafts 204 offastening devices pass through the locating holes. Finally, theelectronic board is slightly slid toward one side of the frame case toeasily clip the electronic board by the position shafts 204.Alternatively, at least a manual bolt, preferably three manual bolts, isfurther disposed on some specific position of the frame case to completethe set-up process with respect to the electronic board. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronic boardcomprises any type of the computer motherboard, such as a personalcomputer or a server, or electronic devices.

Referring to FIG. 2C, this figure shows a cross-sectional view of afastening device according to the present invention. The base unit 202,preferably polygonal shape coupled to the frame case, has a firstopening 208 on the upper region 220 of the base unit 202, a secondopening 210 on the lower region of the base unit 202 and a sidewall 212used to connect to both the first opening 202 and the second opening210. The sidewall 212 further comprises at least an extension portion214, preferably two symmetrical arc-shaped or other geometry shapeportions, disposed in the surface region adjacent to the first opening202 for tightly withstanding the electronic board by resilience inducingfrom the extension portion 214. One end portion of the extension portion214 is disposed in the sidewall 212 and the other end portion freely ishigher than the upper region 220 of the base unit 202 to resist theelectronic board.

The position shaft 204, similar to a column coupled to the base unit202, has a first flange 222 and a second flange 224. The first flange222 in one end of the position shaft 204 has a smaller size than that offirst opening 202. The second flange 224 in the annular edge of theposition shaft 204 has a larger size than that of first opening 202 tolean against the inner surface region of first opening 202. Furthermore,an interval space 225 between first flange 222 and second flange 224 isused to clip the electronic board. The first flange 222 shape ispreferably any one type of a planar, square, domed shape and the like.

The resilient device 206, preferably a coil spring coupled to theposition shaft 204, is disposed inside the sidewall 212 forautomatically aligning the locating holes of the electronic board andfor readily loading and unloading the electronic board. Specifically,the position shaft 204 is able to move back and forth inside theresilient device 206.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a top view of the base unit of FIG. 2C accordingto the present invention is shown. In the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the sidewall 212 of the base unit 202 essentiallycomprises a continuous wall or an intermittent wall, which ismanufactured by a punching procedure. In addition, the surface region ofbase unit 202 adjacent to the first opening 208 further comprises atleast a protrusion 232, preferably four protrusions, for closelyattaching the electronic board into the base unit 202. Furthermore,while the protrusions 232 of the base unit 202 receives a downward forcefrom the electronic board, theses protrusions are capable of generatinga better electrical contact between the electronic board and the uppersurface of the base unit 202.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, a side view of the base unit of FIG. 2Caccording to the present invention is shown. The sidewall 212 neae upperedge has a first flexure 228 and a second flexure 230, preferably aplurality of second flexures 230, such as at least two flexures, arerespectively disposed in both side of the first flexure 228. The baseunit 202 further comprises a spacing 234 between the first flexure 228and the second flexure 230 near the second opening 210 for fastening thebase unit 202 to the frame case. Alternatively, the first flexure 230 ofthe base unit 202 is inserted into slots (not shown) of the frame case.Furthermore, the extension portion 214 is the material of the metal forgrounding to prevent electronic board from electromagnetic interference(EMI).

Referring to FIG. 4 and a local view 403, one preferred embodiment ofsecuring computer motherboard to the frame case by using a fasteningdevice according to the present invention is shown. During the loadingsteps of the computer motherboard, a plurality of fastening devices aresequentially fastened on the frame case in practice. Afterwards, thesefastening devices are aligned with the locating holes on the motherboardbefore the position shafts of fastening devices pass through thelocating holes. Finally, the motherboard is slightly slid toward oneside of the frame case to easily buckle the electronic board by theposition shafts. Further, at least a manual bolt, preferably threemanual bolts, is also used to be disposed on some specific position ofthe frame case to complete the set-up process with respect tomotherboard. In the opposite, The motherboard can be unloaded from theframe case in the reverse steps described in the above.

According to the aforementioned, the loading and unloading steps of thefastening device in the present invention are not need any auxiliarytools are not needed for these electronic boards so that the assemblyefficiency is considerably raised. Furthermore, since the position shaftfreely moves a distance range back and forth inside the base unit, theelectronic board is protected from harm when the electronic boardcontacts with the first flange. Moreover, interval space between saidfirst flange and said second flange allows the fastening device tobuckle any kind of locating holes of electronic boards, so thesubstitution of the electronic boards is increased to decrease the stockin the shop.

As understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoing preferredembodiments of the present invention are illustrations rather thanlimitations of the present invention. It is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded thebroadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications andsimilar structure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fastening device for securing an electronicboard, comprising: a frame case; a base unit with an annular polygonshape coupled to said frame case, having a first opening in an upperregion of said base unit, a second opening in a lower region of saidbase unit and a sidewall used to connect said first opening with saidsecond opening for withstanding said electronic board by resilienceinducing from an extension portion having one end connected saidsidewall and the other end being higher than said upper region of saidbase unit; a position shaft coupled to said base unit, having a firstflange in one end of said position shaft, a second flange in an annularedge of said position shaft wherein the size of said first flange isless than that of said first opening and the size of said second flangeis more than that of said first opening for leaning against an innersurface region of said first opening; and a resilient device coupled tosaid position shaft and inside said sidewall, for automaticallyaligning.
 2. The fastening device of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of protrusions in the surface region adjacent to said firstopening for closely attaching said electronic board into said base unit.3. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein said sidewall is acontinuous wall.
 4. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein saidsidewall is an intermittent wall.
 5. The fastening device of claim 1,wherein said base unit near said second opening further comprises abending portion for attaching said base unit into said electronic board.6. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein said base unit furthercomprises a spacing between a first flexure and a second flexure nearsaid second opening for buckling said base unit to said frame case. 7.The fastening device of claim 1, wherein a shape of said first flange isselected from the group consisting of a planar shape and domed shape. 8.The fastening device of claim 1, wherein an interval space between saidfirst flange and said second flange is used to clip said electronicboard.
 9. A fastening device for securing an electronic board,comprising: a frame case; a base unit with an annular polygon shapecoupled to said frame case, having a first opening in an upper region ofsaid base unit, a second opening in a lower region of said base unit anda sidewall used to connect said first opening with said second openingfor withstanding said electronic board by resilience inducing from anextension portion wherein a plurality of protrusions are located in asurface region of said base unit adjacent to said first opening; aposition shaft coupled to said base unit, having a first flange in oneend of said position shaft, a second flange in an annular edge of saidposition shaft wherein the size of said first flange is less than thatof said first opening and the size of said second flange is more thanthat of said first opening for leaning against an inner surface regionof said first opening; and a resilient device, coupled to said positionshaft and inside said sidewall, for automatically aligning.
 10. Thefastening device of claim 9, wherein said base unit near said secondopening further comprises a bending portion for attaching said base unitinto said electronic board.
 11. The fastening device of claim 9, whereinsaid base unit further comprises a spacing between a first flexure and asecond flexure near said second opening for buckling said base unit tosaid frame case.
 12. The fastening device of claim 9, wherein one endportion is higher than said upper region, of said base unit with respectto said extension portion.
 13. The fastening device method of claim 9,wherein a shape of said first flange is selected from the groupconsisting of a planar shape and domed shape.
 14. The fastening deviceof claim 9, wherein an interval space between said first flange and saidsecond flange is used to clip said electronic board.
 15. A computerhaving a fastening device for securing an electronic board, comprising:a frame case: a base unit with an annular polygon shape coupled to saidframe case, having a first opening in an upper region of said base unita second opening in a lower region of said base unit and a sidewall usedto connect said first opening with said second opening for withstandingsaid electronic board by resilience inducing from an extension portionhaving one end connected said sidewall and the other end being higherthan said upper region of said base unit wherein a plurality ofprotrusions are located in a surface region of said base unit adjacentto said first opening; a position shaft coupled to said base unit,having a first flange in one end of said position shaft, a second flangein an annular edge of said position shaft wherein the size of said firstflange is less than that of said first opening and the size of saidsecond flange is more than that of said first opening for leaningagainst an inner surface region of said first opening; and a resilientdevice, coupled to said position shaft and inside said sidewall, forautomatically aligning.
 16. The computer of claim 15, wherein said baseunit near said second opening further comprises a bending portion forattaching said base unit into said electronic board.
 17. The computer ofclaim 15, wherein said base unit further comprises a spacing between afirst flexure and a second flexure near said second opening for bucklingsaid base unit to said frame case.
 18. The computer of claim 15, whereina shape of said first flange is selected from the group consisting of aplanar shape and domed shape.